WASHINGTON (October 22 2014) --The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the passing of legendary journalist Benjamin Bradlee. As executive editor of The Washington Post from 1968 until 1991, he guided the paper through the era in which the paper developed into an outlet which offered groundbreaking reporting on events of consequence such as the release of the Pentagon Papers and the events surrounding the Watergate scandal.

Under his leadership The Post became the standard bearer for American journalism as news operations across platforms strove to deliver high caliber journalism and adhere to high journalistic standards. He oversaw an expansion of the kinds of coverage his newspaper offered readers which ultimately influenced editors at papers across the country. Internally, Bradlee was best known as a champion of ambitious reporters and stylish writers, who were empowered to produce journalism which drew acclaim.

Bradlee helped transform The Post from a mere local paper into a great national one.

"I remember my shipmates watching the Watergate hearings on the mess deck when I was in the Navy in 1974," said NABJ President Bob Butler. "I did not know about Ben Bradlee or his role in breaking the Watergate story until I saw "All the President's Men" while in college. My condolences go out to the Bradlee family, The Washington Post family and our industry colleagues who too mourn his loss."

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.